Joffre was skilled at accepting guidance, often aligning himself with the dominant thinkers within the Operations Bureau. This group was described by a French military critic as a sort of exclusive sect, one that imposed strict adherence to its beliefs and offered no forgiveness to those who questioned or exposed the inaccuracies of its doctrines.
The influence of this doctrinal group on Joffre highlights the challenges faced by military leaders in navigating established philosophies that might not always align with practical realities. It underscores the tension between innovative thinking and rigid adherence to tradition in military strategy.